This new device lets light from one direction pass through — and blocks all of the rest

By Stephen Ornes, 09:24 AM April 14, 2014

Scientists have just created a new kind of light filter that's exceptionally picky. Built from a stack of transparent materials, it only lets in light that comes from a particular direction. Everything else will just reflect off of it.

Such a device could improve cameras by reducing glare from the sun. The new filter could increase the sensitivity of telescopes by blocking light from bright stars that might otherwise wash out dimmer objects. It might boost the performance of solar cells, which...